So, at the start of this month I thought “Hmm, time to save my pennies!”. I started off strong, until I remembered I live in New Zealand and pennies have nothing to do with our currency. So I shelved that idea and added to my wardrobe! 😉 Or should I say, added a boatload of skinny style jeans with a few other pieces thrown in!

Here are a few of my purchases thus far…

EziBuy Urban Denim Military Vest NZD$49.95

This cute little vest from EziBuy embodies the current soldier-style fashion statement that seems so popular right now, without being too much. Most people either love vests, or hate them, but I think it’s a quirky addition to my collection.

EziBuy Emerge Casette Print Tee Shirt NZD$39.95

Another EziBuy find, this tee is casual, funky and warm. Perfect over jeans and a great length to boot.

EziBuy Urban Stud Detail Skinny Jean NZD$59.95

Aaannnddd… EziBuy brings it home for the team AGAIN! These black skinny jeans are embellished with darkened punk-type studs, and look wicked with a black leather jacket. Just sayin’.

EziBuy Heine Designer Jeans NZD$139.95

Last but certainly not least from my EziBuy shopping spree are these wonderful dark blue skinny jeans. They fit beautifully and have a funky angel wing design on the back, giving it that extra something special.

Pulp Strap-T Boot from Hannahs NZD$149.95

These cute boots are both comfortable and fun! I am a massive fan of studs (can you tell?) and this particular style fits my personality perfectly. They look superb with skinny jeans and being flat, it means I can wear them out and about without worrying about sore feet. You can get Pulp shoes and boots from Hannahs.

Stainless Steel Sun with Gold Plating from The Warehouse NZD$49.99

Yup, who’d have thunk it, but I found a nice pendant at The Warehouse! I just saw it and fell in love, and it is now my every-day piece. A step up from costume jewellery, but still not costing megabucks like some of the designer ranges out there. A happy medium.

Valley Girl Military Cardy NZD$19.99

Cheap and cheerful. It doesn’t look like much, but it’s one of those “looks good on, looks crap off” items that you sometimes stumble across. Great to chuck over a long singlet or tight tee. Found in Valley Girl, of all places.

Glassons Daisy Abraised Indigo Skinny Jeans NZD$59.99

Hmm, so I might have gone a little bit skinny-jean-crazy, but how cute are these! Distressed patches on the front thigh and lower backside add to what would normally be a simple pair of blue jeans. Find them at Glassons.

Max Studded Skinny Jeans NZD$99.00

Skinny jeans? Check. Studs? Check. My final skinny jean purchase of the month are these beauties from Max. They fit like a dream, go well with boots and leather jackets, as well as being dressed up with corporate attire.

So, we aren’t even half way through the month and I am already eying up my bank balance with horror. But… totally worth it! Plus, most of these items I caught on sale which is always a bonus!

Recently, a New Zealand graphic designer started up his own jewellery collection. And I’ll tell you what – it’s bloody amazing!

The name gives you a hint at the tone of the collection (Abra Cadavre Jewellery – clever, isn’t it?) but for those of you that don’t get it, it’s a nod towards the macabre. Some of the pieces include Voodoo Doll Earrings, a Zombie Cameo and Severed Skull Studs. Dark, sexy, but still beautiful. Also, each piece is handmade and finely crafted.

I am lucky enough to have purchased a few things so far from the Abra Cadavre website, something for me and something for a friend. I don’t know who was more pleased, me or her!

The pieces aren’t expensive, starting from NZD$10.00 and going up to NZD$110.00. There are earrings, pendants, bracelets and cameos, with more being added to the product range all the time. If you like your jewellery with a bit of attitude that strays from the norm, then this is the range for you!

Now, almost everybody I know these days has an item (or more!) of Karen Walker jewellery. The pieces are gorgeous, unique and well-crafted.

Karen Walker, the designer, is an adept and artistic woman born and bred in New Zealand. After leaving Epsom Girls Grammar High School (Auckland, NZ) in 1988, she went on to further education in fashion until 1990. Well, that particular study paid off because by 1995 she owned two stores and in 1998 began selling to Barneys in New York! Phew! Talented woman! Her clothes have been worn by Björk, Sienna Miller, Liv Tyler, Claire Danes, Tyra banks, Kate Winslet, Jennifer Lopez and many more celebrities over the years, which in itself attests to her skill. From there she extended her talents from clothing, to sunglasses, cosmetics, jewellery and even a range of designer paints for Resene.

Now, I appreciate everything that Karen Walker has done for the fashion world, but what I truly adore and hunger for, is her eclectic jewellery range! You have to see it to believe it – robots, planes, animals, weapons and symbols. The first time you look at some of these pieces you think “What the-?” because they are so unusual, but mmaaannn they look good on! Available in gold, white gold and silver (some pieces even coming in a two-tone option) and varied sizes, they can go with any outfit to any event. This isn’t a cheap range, but it won’t break the bank either, with prices starting at NZD$100.00 and going up to NZD$1000 (approximately). Most fall between the NZD$200-NZD$300 category, which is understandable for designer pieces such as these.

Have a look on the Karen Walker Jewellery website to view more products and stockists worldwide as well as online. There are subtle pieces, there are outrageous pieces – AND I WANT THEM ALL!